LeBron James found himself in a viral moment when he reacted to the crowd cheering during Team USA’s eventual blowout against Brazil in Tuesday’s quarterfinal win at the Paris Olympics.
But apparently the standing ovation and applause from the fans at Bercy Arena wasn’t meant for him.
The 39-year-old James waved while he sat down on the bench and pretended to put a crown on his head — his signature King James gesture — when the Americans led by 32 points with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter of the 122-87 triumph.
Crowd started cheering and LeBron thought it was for him, but it was for gold medal french swimmer Léon Marchand in the crowd pic.twitter.com/Z0e5lHMrQ0
LeBron James reacts to the crowd cheering during Team USA’s eventual win against Brazil in the quarterfinal game at the Paris Olympics on August 6, 2024. X
The warm welcome was meant for French swimmer Léon Marchand.
Léon Marchand during the men’s quarterfinal basketball match between Brazil and the USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 6, 2024. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James reacts to the crowd cheering during Team USA’s eventual win against Brazil in the quarterfinal game at the Paris Olympics on August 6, 2024. X
Marchand — who won four gold medals and one silver in his homeland — stood up from his seat to thank the crowd.
The 22-year-old swimming star was seen talking with two others when he was featured on the broadcast.
Léon Marchand during the men’s quarterfinal basketball match between Brazil and the USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 6, 2024. Blondet Eliot/ABACA/Shutterstock France’s swimmer gold medallist Leon Marchand poses on stage at the Champions Park at Trocadero during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 6, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
James finished with 12 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals in Team USA’s 122-87 blowout win that secured a spot in the semifinals Thursday.
It was a team effort from the Americans, as scored Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker and Anthony Davis scored in double digits.
Durant became the all-time leading scorer, male or female, among U.S. Olympians when he surpassed four-time gold medalist Lisa Leslie’s American women’s and the overall record of 488 Olympic points.
LeBron James during the basketball quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Brazil at the Paris Olympics on August 6, 2024. Abaca Press/INSTARimages
Serbia, Germany and France also secured victories Tuesday, and America will face Serbia in the semifinals with a championship game appearance on the line.
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